e castle before
midnight."

At night the castle was barricaded as usual, and no one had observed
the hole which Parley had made in the hedge. This oversight arose
that night from the servants' neglecting one of the master's
standing orders--to make a nightly examination of the state of
things. The neglect did not proceed so much from willful
disobedience, as from having passed the evening in sloth and
diversion, which often amounts to nearly the same in its
consequences.

As all was very cheerful within, so all was very quiet without. And
before they went to bed, some of the servants observed to the rest,
that as they heard no robbers that night, they thought they might
now begin to remit something of their diligence in bolting and
barring: that all this fastening and locking was very troublesome,
and they hoped the danger was now pretty well over. It was rather
remarkable, that they never made these sort of observations, but
after an evening of some excess, and when they had neglected their
_private business with their master_. All, however, except Parley,
went quietly to bed, and seemed to feel uncommon security.

Parley crept down to his lodge. He had half a mind to go to bed too.
Yet he was not willing to disappoint Mr. Flatterwell. So civil a
gentleman! To be sure he might have had bad designs. Yet what right
had he to suspect any body who made such professions, and who was so
very civil? "Besides, it is something for my advantage," added
Parley. "I will not open the door, that is certain; but as he is to
come alone, he can do me no harm through the bars of the windows:
and he will think I am a coward if I don't keep my word. No, I will
let him see that I am not afraid of my own strength; I will show him
I can go what length I please, and stop short _when_ I please." Had
Flatterwell heard this boastful speech, he would have been quite
sure of his man.

About eleven, Parley heard the signal agreed upon. It was so gentle
as to cause little alarm. So much the worse. Flatterwell never
frightened any one, and therefore seldom failed of any one. Parley
stole softly down, planted himself at his little window, opened the
casement, and spied his new friend. It was pale starlight. Parley
was a little frightened; for he thought he perceived one or two
persons behind Flatterwell; but the other assured him it was only
his own shadow, which his fears had magnified into a company.
"Though I assure you," said he, "I have no